From the Forums: Nokia ensuring Lumia Windows Phones are being pushed

It's that time yet again, folks. We're here to bring you the latest and greatest threads from our Windows Phone forum. Accumulating thousands of posts on a daily basis, the Windows Phone Central community is a vibrant place that's open for everyone to join in the discussion. So what's been happening the past couple of days?

A reader on our forum has explained how Matt Rothschild, Head of Marketing at Nokia, got in touch regarding an order for a Lumia 920 through Best Buy. Unfortunately a number of problems arose throughout the order process, including a number of cancellations. Here's a snippet of how Rothschild addressed lsmachado's situation:

"Then, that order was cancelled by BB today! I was so frustrated that I emailed Mr. Rothschild as to what happened. I was shocked when I checked my voicemail today and had a call from Mr. Rothschild! He told me that Nokia was sending me an early Christmas present of a new phone, and I would be receiving it tomorrow!

He asked me to give him a call back, which I did, just to thank him for his intervention on my behalf. He said that Nokia was having a discussion with management at Best Buy regarding their handling of order fulfillment."

There have been countless complaints published and threads created surrounding the launch of Windows Phone 8, as well as the push from Microsoft and OEM partners. But how successful do you believe it's going? Forum user inteller crafted a thread with the following:

"Here we are two days before black Friday and Amazon is out of stock, ATT online is out of stock... how could they miscalculate demand so badly? There will be no second chances... everyone will be walking out of stores with craptacular SGIIIs... you can already see it on the Amazon bestsellers lists... as soon as the 920 went to backorder it started falling off the list and the SGIII replaced it. "

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Reader comments

From the Forums: Nokia ensuring Lumia Windows Phones are being pushed

First of all, I am a big supporter of Nokia ,and I wish it does very well. The big problem here again is AT&T employees. With my first Nokia lumia 900. They were jocking about the fact WHY I was interested in a Nokia Windows Phone having a large selection of great phone, of course, they meant Android and IPhone. they pushed hard to make me change my mind. But they failed. Now with my red Nokia Lumia 920, I bought it on launch day, full price. When I got at AT&T store the manager, I did not know it was the manager of the store, I found it out later, completely a jerk, they can't sell me the phone because they were selling it only under contract. What? I stayed in store playing with the phone and one saleperson asked me if needed help, and he did not have any problem selling me the phone at full price.It seemed I got a defective device with black screen and freezing issue. I called ahead to this AT&T store Saugus MA to make sure item was in stock. I went to Saugus Ma AT&T Store in Squareone Mall to exchange it. After waiting for more than one hour after work, the salesperson told they do not have this color and if I want another color I have to pay for restocking fee. Also he mentioned that he did not know nothing about this phone, so he would not recommend it! What? Again.. I explained him I want to exchange it because of issues that are well documented on Microsoft and Nokia web sites. I was so frustrated, I asked to talk to manager and I found out he was the same tiny guy did not want to sell it initially. This store Manager is useless, he told he can't do nothing, only I can leave the phone and they will call me when they get more, but he did not know when. How come I called in advance , when I signed in i told them why I was there and they said they had it and then they do not have it and they want me to pay for exchanging.So I was so mad I returned phone. Now I will buy it online when it gets available. AT&T amployees are not educated to sell windows phone they do nothing to help Nokia and Microsoft too bad .

Yeah one bad manager can ruin it for the whole company and their reputation.. I've never had a bad experience with AT&T(12 years running) but like most things in life, people are more willing to complain about a bad experience rather than praise about a good one, which we just come to expect , and rightfully so I might add. Thus you hear more bad than good.

Like I said before, Nokia is pushing it all they can, but I believe they where not even finished at the official launch. They finished the phone so late that they is behind in manufacturing. I believe its simple as that.

I was lucky enough to have gotten my 920 but it really bring to light a problem that Apple and Samsung have really come to terms with.....getting product to consumers hands!!! If a iOS product or a Samsung product are back-ordered you can be rest assured that there will be stock almost immediately and if not a concerte date as to whenl.....this is a huge competitive advantage for them and Microsoft and the OEM's have got to figure out a way on top of this or the forst comment was right....onto the SGIII they will go and probably not be back. Nokia has a GREAT product that is in demand yet they cannot fill....do they expect people to hang in there? A very few might.....otherwise gone for good. Sad but true

What's crazy is that up until about 2 tears ago, Nokia was the #1 producer of cell phones internationally, and currently have about 1.2 billion devices in circulation. So it doesn't make sense that they can't supply their product. And to miss out RIGHT NOW is ridiculous. I don't believe they are trying to use shortage as a hype tool. People will buy what they can when they can't get a windows phone. One interesting thing is that they do have to produce a wide variety of devices for an even wider market selection, so that is probably bottlenecking their production capacity, not to mention they have shut down A LOT of manufacturing facilities over the last couple years to stem the bleeding cash flow, and now it might be what's biting them in the butt. I hope they solve this.

Does anybody truly know what is going on? And for those who have emailed Elop, have you asked him that question? Seriously, what kind of fucked up launch is this? I'm starting to think the launch was rushed. Both Nokia and MS weren't truly ready. The Ativ S may have given this away. The other thing is, this shortage is just a stint. Whatever it is, frustrating as hell!

I've been to Best Buy mobile in Toronto, horrible displays, one didn't have a sign for the Nokia 920. Yesterday Yorkdale had one, but wouldn't sell it without doing an upgrade. I'm waiting till the hype dies down and somebody, manufacturer, dealer, really wants my money!

I emailed Mr Elop and explained to him that when I called AT&T to about an early upgrade they said it was only offered for iPhone and not for Lumia 920... I said that it should be available too, he said he would pass that along to his team, and then I asked him to inform WPCentral when that option becomes available (if) and he said he will do that.... Crossing my fingers...

Guys, I think you should run a story on how Nokia are doing the exact opposite of pushing out phones by not even announcing availability of them in a key European market such as Spain, very loyal to Nokia and surprisingly a driving force behind Windows Phone in general (don't ask me why).

As of today, Nokia is silent on all matters Lumia 820 and 920, and their Facebook page is full of people begging them to at least announce when the damn phones will be available.

I just wonder what Nokia has been doing since the presentation of the Lumia 920 back in September. In those 2 months they would have been able to produce lots of phones, right? All they needed to do is flash the latest WP8 on it. They could even send the first wave flashed with a pre-release version since users would receive the update when they activate the phone. But somehow there are not even enough phones to meet the initial demand in the few countries that were fortunate enough to be in the first wave. What has Nokia been doing all those months? Is the shortage of the Snapdragon SoC such that it leads to delays?
While it isn't even released here in Holland, I was lucky enough to score a red one from Germany and I can understand the frustration of many trying to get hold of one. I feel your pain.

Lackluster sales of 7.5 caused the estimates to be down. I think the demand for WP8 is a very good sign for the platform. It is too bad the high demand could cause many to buy a/nother droid or iPhone because Nokia has not ramped up production or is now incapable of higher production because of the sale of assets.

MS fumbled this launch horribly. You do not make announcement 6 months or more in advance because the market changes every few months. Win8 is ok to do this with, WP8 , no.

MS and partners should have waited until there was enough (say 10m) units ready. Of course that may have delayed the launch a year.
So far, WP8 has demonstrated it is no serious threat to IOS or droid.

Im confused as to why someone would go from WP to android over it being backordered but I guess I should remind myself most consumers only buy what's the next best thing out or cheapest but the black Friday price for the SG3 isn't even under $100 or is there A 49.99 or lower price that online even a .01 price tag shouldn't sway any loyal WP user

That's because you're a fanboy. Take off the glasses and you will see that Android, ios, WP, BlackBerry all do the same thing. Each system has its pros/cons. The 920, iPhone 5, gs3 are all fantastic choices.

The 920 is unique and innovative enough that it will attract people other than platform bigots. People in snowy climes will want the glove-friendly touchscreen, photo geeks will want the camera and cable haters are after the wireless charging.
But yes, iPhone 5 and gs3 are great - if you like to use PalmPilot fork 1 or PalmPilot fork 2 :)

Ok. Here's the thing. First off, I'm on T-Mobile with an HTC Radar and work as a CSR for Sprint with NO Windows Phones, so I can't even recommend them at work. That said, I took numerous calls today about GSIII's for $0.96.. Yeah. The average person (uneducated, non-fanboy, noob type) on Black Friday will go to the store, choose a few options at the pricing they're willing to pay, then walk out with their choice. Not having something in stock is like the thing didn't exist. A rain check may, and I say may work. The mantra for Black Friday in the US for many is "Shop till you Drop"!! This is THE day that people can finally buy the things they want that are completely out of their price range. They might not walk out with their #1 choice, but they WILL walk out with something!! I mean, how do you think so many flat screens and up in trailer parks?? I used to live in one, so I can say that.

The LED flash on my red Lumia 920 has stopped working as of last night. Tried numerous things to trouble shoot. Used flash light apps to try and activate, no luck. Tried video recording with flash on, no luck. Took the flash off auto, took a pic, no luck. I'll be taking it back Friday. Anyone else having this problem? Apparently I'm not the only one.

I got my Lumia but would've nice if they had more unlocked devices available. I really didn't want to switch to ATT for it. I would prefer to stay on T-Mobile but I love the phone so much I'll pay etf after unlock codes get released and move back. Right now I'll bite the bullet for this great device.

MS had WP8 final version ready, apparently, only days before At&T launch and various global launches. Nokia must be still flashing the final HW, boxing, shipping, distributing.. Remember, ships, planes and trucks don't move any faster now that LTE networks are up! :)

People know what they want..if they go get the craptacular gs3 hahaha...too bad then..
My point is if you want something you will wait for it...we all know that first batch of ANY PRODUCTS are like BETA products,NOKIA is getting all this feedback and will do a better quality check for the next batch of lumias...so WAIT!!CUZ I AM

I am sorry but it doesn't matter how much spin you put on this and comparing the iPhone 5 stock level issues to Nokia's is in no way the same. The iPhone has a massive and ardent following who WILL wait. The Windows Phone users barely exist in comparison and this release is trying to seed those users.
Marketing million$ have been spent, launches and momentum have been going all to fall flat within a few days (and in some cases a few hours) of shipping devices!
Whatever way you paint it this is a big mistake and someone should be held accountable. What is the point of getting almost all the other things lined up to fail at the most critical part - execution!
So once Nokia get enough stock into the channels do you think they should start all the marketing again!?
The fact is most people wanting a phone will go into the store for that phone and most users who don't find that phone will go for the one proposed by the salesperson (i.e. one that is in stock).
I visited several large stores in Melbourne and there was nothing available and little knowledge as to when they would arrive! Ain't no average customer waiting indefinately for a new phone platform unless they are a fanboy. There aren't enough fanboys to keep Nokia and WP8 afloat yet.
p.s. This stocking issue is the same problem with Windows 8, only two touch based tablets in stock in all stores for a touch centred OS. Again the store doesn't know when they are coming in. So the Windows 8 launch is a muckup in the execution stage.

I am sorry but it doesn't matter how much spin you put on this and comparing the iPhone 5 stock level issues to Nokia's is in no way the same. The iPhone has a massive and ardent following who WILL wait. The Windows Phone users barely exist in comparison and this release is trying to seed those users.
Marketing million$ have been spent, launches and momentum have been going all to fall flat within a few days (and in some cases a few hours) of shipping devices!
Whatever way you paint it this is a big mistake and someone should be held accountable. What is the point of getting almost all the other things lined up to fail at the most critical part - execution!
So once Nokia get enough stock into the channels do you think they should start all the marketing again!?
The fact is most people wanting a phone will go into the store for that phone and most users who don't find that phone will go for the one proposed by the salesperson (i.e. one that is in stock).
I visited several large stores in Melbourne and there was nothing available and little knowledge as to when they would arrive! Ain't no average customer waiting indefinately for a new phone platform unless they are a fanboy. There aren't enough fanboys to keep Nokia and WP8 afloat yet.
p.s. This stocking issue is the same problem with Windows 8, only two touch based tablets in stock in all stores for a touch centred OS. Again the store doesn't know when they are coming in. So the Windows 8 launch is a muckup in the execution stage.

If we remember correctly, apple did not have NEARLY enough iPhone5 units for demand, and its the best selling smartphone on the planet. The problem I had with the WP8 and subsequent hardware launch is lack of clarity on launch dates. That wad the real confusion for me, unlike apple which had a clear launch date, and then it was first come first serve basis.

That said I got my Lumia 920, an upgrade to my 900. Its amazingly fast, love the high res screen, and new features. I was so happy about my customer service exp with ATT I wrote a post on it. They let me upgrade my phone 6 month into contract for free.

Its simple really. MS and Nokia said they are all in but the lack of phones in some places suggest they didn't know how sales would go and maybe they didn't make enough and didn't want phones sitting in warehouses unused. The biggest shopping day of the year and there might not be enough phones out there?

I should email him and say "I want to buy one, i have the money, but your exclusivity deal with EE means im not allowed"
Im hoping more sim free stock comes in next month, and this time at a resonable price.

But that is the whole problem. Those who want, will wait no matter what. But there are only a few hundred of us who will wait. Average consumers WON'T wait, therefore Nokia won't sell enough devices which will lead to another crappy marketshare for WP...all because AT&T couldn't order enough phones while sucking on iPhone tit.

I always thought that Black friday deals are mainly to let the old crap go for pennies and few cool items (inventory fixed to minimize exposure). So, people if you want your stuff just pay it's money worth...